Park and Recreation Grants & Fundraising Resources

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) periodically posts information about grant and fundraising opportunities that are available for park and recreation agencies, affiliated friends group, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Any opportunities listed under “Current NRPA Grant Opportunities” are sponsored through NRPA. All other resources and opportunities are through outside agencies. Be sure to review the provided Fundraising and Marketing Resources section at the bottom of this page to support your funding journey!

Find the funding opportunities you are looking for by using the “filter by” function on the right side of the page. Click the arrows next to “Categories”, “Projects”, and "Deadlines" to see the keywords you can use to filter by. Please note the project categories will change as new funding is made available, so be sure to check back often. Click on the title of a funding opportunity to learn more and access the application links.

If you are interested in learning more about NRPA's fundraising resources, please contact Alyssa McLaughlin at AMcLaughlin@nrpa.org

Walmart Foundation, Parks as Community Nutrition Hubs grantee Berea, KY

Current NRPA Opportunities

Current Federal Funding Opportunities

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Cultivating Connected Communities Challenge

Grant and Fundraising Resources, Health and Wellness, Upcoming, Healthy Aging, Nutrition and Physical Activity

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are accepting submissions for Phase 1 of the Cultivating Connected Communities Challenge, a national competition designed to support existing community garden projects interested in extending their outreach to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), people living with paralysis and other physical disabilities, and older adults. This challenge invites applicants to expand inclusive and sustainable practices that reduce social isolation, prevent diet-related chronic conditions, and cultivate long-term community impact. Funds awarded may support garden upgrades such as raising plant bed heights, incorporating adaptive gardening tools, and creating inclusive gardening programs. The two-phase competition offers prizes of up to $4,000 in Phase 1 to support an Accessibility Plan and up to $8,000 in Phase 2 for demonstrated implementation. The Phase 1 submission deadline is August 26, 2026, with an optional Intent to Apply due July 15, 2026.

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Grant and Fundraising Resources

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) program supports mentoring services to youth who are at risk of juvenile delinquency. The program's goal is to improve outcomes for at-risk and high-risk youth and reduce negative outcomes through mentoring. Funding may be used to increase the number of youth receiving mentoring services and increase the number of screened and well-trained mentors. Application deadlines vary throughout the year.

National Park Service 21st Century Conservation Service Corps

Partnership Opportunities, Environmental Resilience, Workforce Management, Rolling Basis

The 21st Century Conservation Service Corps and Civilian Climate Corps Youth and Veteran Development Program is a collaborative efforts between federal government agencies and non-profit service organizations to put America's youth and veterans to work protecting, restoring and enhancing America's great outdoors in and around national park units as well as in local communities and with partner organizations. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until September 30, 2028.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program

Funding, Grants, Partnership Opportunities, Environmental Resilience, Workforce Management

The CDBG Program funds annual grants to states, cities, and counties to provide a suitable living environment for low-and moderate-income persons. One of the benefits of CDBG is that it can be applied to a wide range of funding programs, including housing, infrastructure improvements, economic development, and public facilities (including community centers and parks). In FY 2023, CDBG was funded at $3.3 billion and supported almost 5,000 projects. CDBG applications are typically due in the spring of each year with specific deadlines varying depending on the locality but often falling around March or April; it is crucial to check with your local government agency for the exact deadline for your area.

Clean Water State Revolving Fund

Funding, Grants, Partnership Opportunities, Environmental Resilience, Workforce Management, Rolling Basis

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a low interest loan program intended to finance public infrastructure improvements. It is required that 10% of the CWSRF be used for green infrastructure projects, many of which are or can be done in parks. Application deadlines vary depending on the specific state and type of project.

Land and Water Conservation Fund

Funding, Grants

Grant Program: The ORLP grant program, funded by the LWCF, enables communities to create new outdoor recreation spaces, reinvigorate existing parks, and form connections between people and the outdoors in economically underresourced communities. ORLP delivers funding to urban areas (jurisdictions of at least 50,000 people) with priority given to projects located in economically disadvantaged areas and lacking outdoor recreation opportunities or access. Priorities include projects that support economic growth in a community and redevelop under-utilized and aging parks. Localities interested in applying for the grant must go through their state LWCF administrator, whose contact information is available on the NPS website. Your state LWCF administrator will provide information on how they plan to select the four projects your state will submit to the NPS for consideration. There are strict matching requirements and rules about the use of the land after receiving the ORLP grants, which can be found in the NOFO. Formula Program: Each state and territory receives a yearly apportionment to be spent for outdoor recreation projects on the state, county or local level.

Safe Streets and Roads for All

Funding, Grants, Parks and Health , Protected Bike Lane , Accessibility

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) supports projects to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, and commercial vehicle operators. The SS4A program provides funding for two main types of grants: 1) Planning and Demonstration Grants are used to develop, complete, or supplement an action plan, as well as carry out demonstration activities that inform an action plan; 2) Implementation Grants are used to implement strategies or projects that are consistent with an existing action plan and may also bundle funding requests for supplemental planning and demonstration activities that inform the action plan. Over $982 million is made available by this NOFO, and a similar amount is expected to be available next year in a future funding round.

Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program — Rural Communities

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides grants, low-interest direct loans, and/or combinations of the two to develop essential community facilities in rural areas, including public facilities, community support services, and local food systems such as community gardens and food hubs. Public entities, nonprofit organizations and tribal entities in rural communities are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Other Grant Opportunities

These grant opportunities are not sponsored by NRPA. More information can be found in the links below.

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USTA Tennis Facility Grants

Grant and Fundraising Resources, Health and Wellness, Operations and Maintenance, Upcoming

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) offers competitive grant funding to public tennis facilities seeking to build, upgrade, or expand their tennis courts and amenities. To qualify, facilities must be open to the general public and fulfill the specific guidelines detailed on usta.com/facilities. Funding allocations are determined by several key factors, including the overall scope and complexity of the proposed project and the programming available to the public at the site. For more information and to get connected to the USTA Tennis Venue Services team, please visit usta.com/facilities or contact facilities@usta.com.

T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program

Grant and Fundraising Resources, Health and Wellness, Parks for All, Environmental Resilience, Rolling Basis, General Programming

The T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program is accepting applications to support community revitalization projects that create meaningful gathering spaces and strengthen connections. Grants of up to $50,000 are available for projects that bring people together through improvements to public spaces, including parks, community centers, and other gathering places. Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate strong community engagement and support, address identified local needs, involve collaboration with community partners, include long-term sustainable impact plans, and serve populations that have been historically underserved. Eligible applicants include government entities, 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organizations, and community development organizations located in towns with populations under 50,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with quarterly review cycles.

Access Fund’s Climbing Conservation Grant Program

Grant and Fundraising Resources, Health and Wellness, Environmental Resilience, Upcoming, Conservation and Sustainability, Education and Community Engagement, Nutrition and Physical Activity

Access Fund is accepting applications for the Climbing Conservation Grant, which supports projects that preserve or enhance climbing access and opportunities, and conserve the climbing environment throughout the United States. Proposed projects should demonstrate support from local climbers, collaboration with land managers, and a commitment to long-term impact. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, government agencies, local climbing organizations, conservation groups, and land trusts. Award amounts vary; most applicants receive between $1,000 and $4,000, though requests exceeding $10,000 may be considered. Applications are accepted twice a year, in the fall and spring. Fall applications are due August 1, and spring applications are due March 1.

Quadratec Cares Energize The Environment Grant Program

Environment, Funding, Grants, Environmental Resilience, Upcoming

Quadratec announced the Quadratec Cares 'Energize The Environment' Grant Program to support community-based environmental projects. Eligible projects may include trail building or restoration, litter prevention initiatives, sustainable land management activities, and community environmental education projects. Each year, two grants of $3,500- one each in the spring and fall- are awarded to help bring these projects to life. To apply, applicants must submit a 1,000-1,600-word essay by June 30, 2026, to be considered for the fall grant, or October 30, 2026, to be considered for the spring grant.

Musco Sports Lighting and US Soccer Foundation Soccer Fund Grant

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Health and Wellness, Rolling Basis

Musco Sports Lighting and the US Soccer Foundation established the Soccer Fund to offer financial support for sports lighting projects on a rolling basis. Projects can include the Mini-Pitch System or soccer lighting projects of all sizes. Mini-Pitches are ideal for urban areas and other communities where finding a safe place to play can be difficult. Applications will be accepted quarterly, on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 30.

MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Health and Wellness, Rolling Basis

This program was created to increase participation in and expand access to youth baseball and softball. The program prioritizes bold, innovative, and creative ideas that increase opportunities for youth, particularly those who are minorities, girls, and/or located in underresourced communities. Funds may be used to support capital projects (e.g., field renovations), baseball/softball programs, and education initiatives. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Lisa Libraries Grant Program

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Parks for All, Rolling Basis

Nonprofit organizations that serve low-income or underresourced areas are eligible to apply for in-kind donations from The Lisa Libraries. The Lisa Libraries provides donations of free books for community facilities to host their own small libraries or to operate programs where children can take the book home. While book donations are free, The Lisa Libraries requests that recipients cover the shipping and handling costs, which are based on the destination and quantity of books. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Karma for Cara (K4C) Foundation Microgrants

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Health and Wellness, Parks for All, Environmental Resilience, Rolling Basis

The K4C Migrogrant Program provides microgrants between $250 and $1,000 to young citizen leaders age 18 or under to help them execute and magnify their initiatives to help repair our world. Funds may be used to complete a wide variety of innovative service projects in communities across the US. Applications are reviewed quarterly on January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st.

The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation Grant Program

Funding, Grants, Grant and Fundraising Resources, Environmental Resilience, Rolling Basis

Municipal entities, local nonprofits and public schools are eligible to apply to support the planting of fruitful trees and plants to alleviate hunger, combat global warming, strengthen communities and improve the surrounding environment. Trees can be planted at community gardens, city and state parks, low-income neighborhoods, Native American reservations, schools, and other locations where they will serve the greater community. The Foundation provides high-quality trees and shrubs, equipment, on-site orchard design expertise and oversight, horticultural workshops, and aftercare training and manuals. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Fundraising and Marketing Resources

When looking for funding and grants, there are many resources available on the internet. Below are just a few suggestions on where to start your research.

Candid (Formerly Foundation Center and Guidestar): Provides training and research information on corporate and foundation grant programs as well as access to IRS 990 forms for foundations and other nonprofit organizations. The grants database is a collection of thousands of grants.
Yearly offers a free tool to create engaging, digital annual reports, donor reports and event recaps to impress your stakeholders. Yearly is a fun and easy way to design unlimited reports and integrate your stories, videos, social media posts, polls and more. Yearly is currently offering their basic level of service to agencies for free.
Chronicle of Philanthropy: The Chronicle is a newspaper for nonprofit news publishing, fundraising trends, resources, and recent grants.
Fund Matching 101
Nonprofit Times: Nonprofit management newspaper.
Hoovers: Profiles millions of U.S. companies. It is a great source for employee contact information.
Fortune Magazine: A resource for identifying companies by state and industry.
Leadership Directories
National League of Cities Federal Funding Sources for Municipal Sustainability and Climate Action
FEMA Recovery and Resilience Resource Library
Google, Yahoo Finance and other general search engines.
Newspapers and magazines like the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, New York Times.

For information on fundraising and grant writing best practices, take a look at NRPA's Park and Recreation Professionals' Guide to Fundraising. In addition, NRPA members have access to weekly Federal Funding updates on NRPA Connect.

The National Recreation and Parks Association